A total of 40 presidential candidates of the nation’s registered political parties on Tuesday in Abuja launched a new alliance under the auspices of Patriotic Forum of Presidential Candidates (PFPC).

Chairman of the forum and National Chairman of Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) Mr Shittu Mohammed; and Secretary Mr Onwubuya Breakforth, who is also National Chairman of Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), told newsmen that the alliance was formed out of patriotism for the nation and to sustain her democracy.

Breakforth, who briefed reporters after the meeting of the forum urged the federal government, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and other stakeholders to avoid any acts capable of jeopardizing national coexistence in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

He said the aim of the forum was to engage government to do more on the current state of internal security for the wellbeing of Nigerians and guarantee credible electoral process before, during and after 2019 elections.

According to him, the forum made up of 40 presidential candidates has also taken it upon itself to interface with law enforcement agencies, especially Nigeria Police Force not to interfere with the electoral process or allow itself to be used by any group or person to influence election results in favour of any particular candidate.

“The overall objective of the Forum is to advocate and ensure delivery of free, fair, credible and violence-free election come 2019, as it is most important to have Nigeria united as indivisible entity after the polls.

“We therefore appeal to the government, INEC, political parties and stakeholders seeking political offices through the various political platforms in the forthcoming elections and the electorates to avoid any acts capable of jeopardizing our national coexistence and the chance of having peaceful and credible election come 2019 general elections,” he said.

The forum also urged INEC to continue playing its constitutional role as an unbiased and neutral umpire throughout the 2019 elections.

Other presidential candidate who attended the meeting are Obadia Mailafia, African Democratic Congress (ADC); Mr Ali Soyode, YES Party; Mr Kingsley Moghalu, Young Progressives Party (YPP); Mr Yusuf Dantalle, Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Mr Nicolas Felix, Peoples Coalition Party (PCP) and Mr Rabia Cengiz, National Action Council (NAC), among others.

Daily Trust